Total Opposites | Cairo & CC

Chapter Four - CC Walker

Cairo - Chapter Four - CC Walker

Song Choice: Art Deco by Lana Del Rey

As I had gotten out of bed early enough this morning, I had time to get coffee before class, which I was thrilled about. I had spent too long on the phone with Winnie again, filling her in on the Walker situation. Winnie thought I should go for it, but I was still too hesitant after what happened with Miller. I don't know if I ever truly loved Miller, but, either way, I didn't have intentions of falling in love again, no matter how attractive Walker was.

And my, was she attractive. At least based on the little bit I had seen in person on Monday, and what I saw on her Instagram that I totally didn't look at at least a hundred times.

It was weird, I wasn't usually like this. I was usually remarkably nonchalant, not getting feelings like this this fast. Yet, there was something about the soccer player that I couldn't shake. She was attractive, but it was her demeanor that drew me in further. Contrasting my focused, academic self, Walker seemed focused, yes, but focused on soccer, and it seemed like that's how she spent most of her time. It was interesting. There wasn't really anyone before Miller, but I only gave him a second glance because of his mind and writing abilities, whereas with Walker I seemed to be dwelling on her physical attractiveness and physical prowess. It was simply interesting.

Speaking of Walker, I saw her sitting at a table in the cafe when I arrived. Staring intently at her phone, no coffee in sight, I figured she must be waiting for her order.

Placing my order myself, my traditional black coffee, I stood near her table, though she had yet to spot me, and debated whether or not to go up to her. I usually wasn't confrontational, but I also had no idea if she would sit near me in American Literature again and some part of me told me not to let her get away without ever saying a word to her. Yale was a big school, after this class this semester who knows if I'd see her again.

Opting to keep my phone in my jacket pocket, earbuds in, and listening to "Art Deco" by Lana Del Rey, I waited until they called my order. I knew it likely wouldn't take long, since it was just a black coffee, and I was right. Only moments after placing my order, I heard them call it out, and began to move past Walker's table, as I was standing behind it, just to collide with her face first.

She must have stood up just as I was walking by.

Taking a step back, only slightly stunned, I looked into her eyes to see the slightest bit of recognition. I know I had started following her on Instagram, but she hadn't followed me back, and I wondered if perhaps she was yet to see the notification.

Muttering a quick, "Sorry," I walked away, getting my order, and was just about to walk out the door when I heard a voice say, "Cairo.".

I turned, just to see Walker holding her drink in her hand, backpack on one shoulder, staring at me. Was that a look of. . .longing?

I froze, shocked that she knew my name, brain shorting out making me unable to recollect that she had in fact seen my follow, and, in that time, the taller girl quickly made her way over to me.

"Hey," She said, and it was all I could do to reply back with a simple, "Hi,". I was still taken aback, but then remembered that not only was Walker right in front of me, but we probably had class soon if it meant Walker was leaving. She seemed like someone who got there right when class started, whereas I was usually fifteen minutes early.

"How'd you know my name, Walker?" I asked, still unable to recall that she must have seen my follow.

"Well, you did start following me on Instagram, and then I realized I recognized you from class on Monday, Sweet." The taller girl said, almost huskily.

How did she make my name sound so attractive?

"Oh, right, I guess I did do that."

"I suppose we should start heading to class, Cairo. It starts in about ten."

Now my first name? Are those. . .butterflies in my stomach? What on earth is happening here?

"We?" was all I could muster, still flabbergasted.

"Yes, we. Unless you don't want the pleasure of my company and would prefer to sit alone for the rest of the semester." Walker said half-jokingly, half-flirtatiously.

And see, usually, I would prefer to sit alone. Winnie was not only my best friend, she was really my only friend. I just didn't like people. Yet, part of me didn't want to decline Walker's invitation.

"Oh, uh, sure," was all I could say, still shocked that I was talking to the girl I was internet stalking just two days ago.

"Well, great. Let's head out then, you don't seem like the type to be late," the blonde said, walking to the door, holding it open for me to go through first.

How chivalrous of you, Walker.

"Thank you," was all I could muster, still stunned that this girl started a conversation with me.

"Of course, Sweet," the girl replied, catching up to me as we began the short walk to the building where we had class together.

Still slightly blushing and flustered, which was so unlike my normal behavior I didn't know how to cope, I opted to try to be normal for once and start a conversation.

"You play soccer, right, Walker?"

"Sure do! Number 13 here at Yale, and I play forward."

"I see. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you played for the National Team as well, right?"

"I did, yes." There was a moment of silence and I realized I had just given myself away and now she knows that I looked at her Instagram and didn't just follow her just because. Damnit.

"You know...it was actually your Instagram that I was looking at back at the cafe. You're not easy to find on socials, Sweet."

"I'm not, I guess that makes sense though, I don't use social media too often." Damnit, I just exposed myself again and basically just told her that I only got on it to look her up. How more obvious can I be?! Keep it together, Cairo.

"Either way, I feel like I know nothing about you. At least with me you can tell I play soccer. I only knew it was your account because of the one picture of you with the cigarette. Speaking of that, I'm surprised that you smoke, since you're only 18, right? Or have you already turned 19?"

"Just turned 19 on August 13th, actually. You?"

"Okay grandma, I turn 19 on March 29th." The taller girl replied, jokingly.

Was she flirting with me? Do I flirt back? Am I overthinking?

"I am absolutely not a grandma, Aries."

Not that I really believed in zodiac signs, but there were sometimes interesting coincidences and similarities, and it was fun to joke about. 

"Aries? Really? That's a new one. And you're what, a Gemini?"

I practically cringed.

"For your information, I'm a Leo. I am absolutely not a Gemini. That's almost insulting."

The blonde chuckled, and I realized we had reached our destination. I quickly checked the time. Somehow, we had still made it before class started. When Walker held the door open for me again, I quickly made my way to the row we had sat in the first day and took the same seat, Walker following behind me, but instead of sitting at the opposite end, she sat in the seat immediately to my left.